That followed United's exit from the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, at the hands of Lampard's Derby side, who won on penalties at Old Trafford following a 2-2 draw. Saturday's 3-1 defeat in east London made this the 20-time champions' worst start to a league campaign since 1989-90, leading to increased talk about the manager's future and his ability to steer the ship back into calm waters.

According to the Daily Mail, Mourinho might be angry with his whole squad following the result as it has since been reported that the players and some members of the United staff discussed the possibility of the Portuguese being sacked on the bus on the way home after the game. The manager isn't on the pitch, is he?.

In a post entitled "It is not the time for posts", the Spanish forward duly explained that he was eschewing his usual missive until things return to an even keel at United.

Most of Jose Mourinho's players commuted back to Stockport, but Paul Pogba, Lindelof, Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw all got off the train early in Wilmslow. "It was not good enough from a Man Utd team with all the talent we have".

And after the disappointing defeat to West Ham United over the weekend, Mourinho appeared before the press on Monday and gave his verdict on the current situation at the club. It's hard to take.

"I just think they have actually become a very, very average team with a very negative manager". I see some people upset and some who don't look like they lost a game.

"That's not good enough".

Matic admitted that United's slump in form has put more pressure on the players as United prepare to face Valencia and Newcastle at home before the global break.

Pogba, hauled off in the second half on Saturday, entered the training pitch with Sergio Romero and warmly greeted Mourinho's coaching staff, having given Nemanja Matic a hug. "I see different actions, but what you see is not really inside".